Facilitation Committee (FAL), 49th session, 10-14 March 2025

The Facilitation Committee met at IMO Headquarters in London for its 49th session (FAL 49) in London from 10 to 14 March (with hybrid participation). The session was chaired by Mr. Watchara Chiemanukulkit (Thailand), with Mr. Mohamed AlKaabi (United Arab Emirates) as vice-chair. 

• Secretary-General's opening remarks/ closing remarks 
• Photo gallery 
• Press release - IMO to develop global strategy for maritime digitalization 
• News - 60th anniversary of Facilitation Convention 
  

FAL 49 highlights  

1. IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization – work plan agreed   
2. Revised Guidelines for setting up a maritime single window approved   
3. New IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business approved 
4. Ongoing work on maintaining the IMO Compendium   
5. Guidelines on electronic certificates approved   
6. Progress on amendments to the FAL Convention regarding Advance Passenger and Crew Information (API) and Booking and Reservation Information (BRI)  
7. Approved amendments to the annex to the FAL Convention related to provisions for vaccinations and medical care for crews during international public health emergencies  
8. Designation of seafarers as ‘key workers’ maintained   
9. Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals – amendments in development 
10. Revised Guidelines on minimum training and education for mooring personnel adopted   
11. Revised roadmap for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code approved   
12. Rules of procedure updated 
    

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1. IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization – work plan agreed 

The Committee approved the work plan for the development of a comprehensive IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization, aimed at harnessing emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability in the shipping industry. This cross-cutting strategy will span different areas of IMO’s work and is expected to be adopted by the IMO Assembly by the end of 2027, during its 35th Session.   

The Committee established a Correspondence Group to continue work to define the strategy’s scope, key objectives and implementation framework. The Correspondence Group will work over the coming year to identify existing and emerging technologies, standards and methodologies that can support maritime digitalization, while ensuring alignment across IMO’s various committees, and will submit a report for consideration at next session of the Facilitation Committee (FAL 50). 

To ensure the early involvement of all stakeholders in shaping the strategy, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) were invited to encourage Member States and international organizations to join the Correspondence Group.  

The Committee agreed that the strategy's development relies on Member States and international organizations providing their input from all angles, including the safety and environmental protection perspectives.  

2. Revised Guidelines for setting up a maritime single window approved 

The Committee approved a revised version of the Guidelines for Setting Up a Maritime Single Window (FAL.5/Circ.42/Rev.4), incorporating amendments to enhance verification functions in maritime single window (MSW) systems and reduce administrative burdens. 

A Maritime Single Window (MSW) is a digital platform for exchanging required information between ships, ports, and national agencies during port calls. While it streamlines clearance processes, port State authorities must still verify the accuracy of submitted data, creating additional administrative work.  

The amendments include functions to verify information in MSWs, further easing administrative burdens.  

Brazil, Egypt and Malaysia shared information on their MSW systems. Antigua and Barbuda and Organization of Eastern Caribbean Stats (OECS) shared their experience of implementing a MSW system in the OECS region. 

3. New IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business approved 

The Committee approved a new version of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business. The compendium is a reference model that ensures maritime data is standardized, consistently formatted and understood across shipping IT systems, facilitating smooth operations, optimizing port calls and supporting Maritime Single Windows (MSWs). 

The revised version of the compendium includes new IMO data sets related to the following: 

• Electronic bunker delivery note; 
• Electronic bill of landing; 
• Transport of dangerous goods;  
• Container inspection programme. 

A new IMO data set on fuel oil consumption and CII reporting was also included in the revised compendium as work in progress, visible to all stakeholders for early adoption. 

4. Ongoing work on maintaining the IMO Compendium 

The Committee continued its work to maintain the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business, which is carried out by the Expert Group on Data Harmonization (EGDH). The Committee instructed the EGDH to provide additional guidance on how to use the compendium and propose sub-models to be included.  

The following IMO data sets will be considered by EGDH in future: 

• Crew certificates; 
• Meteorological and oceanographic data collected by use of Voluntary Observing Ships; 
• Delivery bill for mail consignment;  
• Ship sanitation control certificate;  

The Committee also established a Correspondence Group on the drafting and development of high-level business process flow and descriptions for data sets of the IMO Compendium.  

The Correspondence Group will submit a report for consideration at FAL 50. 

5. Guidelines on electronic certificates approved 

The Committee approved the joint FAL-LEG-MEPC-MSC Guidelines for the use of electronic certificates, and forwarded them to MEPC 83, MSC 110 and LEG 112 for concurrent approval. The Guidelines provide guidance and information on the use of any kind of electronic certificates issued for the purpose of documenting compliance with IMO requirements, including electronic certificates of seafarers.  

6. Progress on amendments to the FAL Convention regarding Advance Passenger and Crew Information (API) and Booking and Reservation Information (BRI) 

The Committee discussed the draft amendments to the Annex of the FAL Convention to include Advance Passenger and Crew Information (API) and Booking and Reservation Information (BRI), as part of the required information ships must declare upon arrival and departure at a port.  

API is data collected for each passenger and crew member, aligning with Passenger and Crew List details, that is transmitted to border control agencies. BRI are records for each booked voyage, based on information data by or on behalf of passengers.  

The Committee established a Correspondence Group to prepare the amendments and submit a report for consideration at FAL 50. 

7. Approved amendments to the annex to the FAL Convention related to provisions for vaccinations and medical care for crews during international public health emergencies 

The Committee approved amendments to Recommended Practice 6.24 in the Annex to the FAL Convention, regarding vaccination and medical care for seafarers during international public health emergencies.

The amendments state that Governments should consider IMO recommendations on crew vaccination within national vaccination programmes, and on access to medical care during a public health emergency of international concern. 

8. Designation of seafarers as ‘key workers’ maintained 

The Committee agreed to maintain Standard 6.22 in the Annex to the FAL Convention, designating ship crews and port workers as key workers (or equivalent) providing an essential service. A further explanation of the term "key workers" will be considered for potential inclusion in the Explanatory Manual to the FAL Convention, a work that would start once the Committee adopts the amendments to the annex to the FAL Convention, i.e. in 2027. 

The Committee agreed to consider at FAL 50 the establishment of a joint ICAO/ILO/IMO/WHO working group to discuss the protection of "key workers", in relation to the Facilitation Convention and the Maritime Labour Convention. The Secretariats of these respective United Nations agencies and organizations will explore intersessionally how this modality of working group could be established. This is to ensure that seafarers and other marine personnel designated as key workers receive practical benefits and fair treatment.  

9. Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals – amendments in development 

The Committee analyzed the Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic (resolutions FAL.9(34) and MSC.228(82)), identifying gaps as well as recommendations to address those gaps. 

This included issues such as inadequately addressing current threats, and the lack of guarantee on the non-criminalization of seafarers, port personnel and companies. Criminalization of these groups can lead to unfair treatment and reduced motivation to report incidents, with an overall negative impact on the maritime sector.  

The Committee established a Correspondence Group and instructed it to develop draft amendments to the Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic, and invited MSC 110 to encourage Member States and international organizations to join the Correspondence Group. The draft amendments to the guidelines will be considered at FAL 50 in 2026. 

10. Revised Guidelines on minimum training and education for mooring personnel adopted 

The Committee adopted resolution FAL.18(49), with the revised Guidelines on minimum training and education for mooring personnel related to ship/port interface. These Guidelines aim to upgrade the knowledge and training of new and existing mooring personnel. The revisions include minor modifications related to ship/port interface, such as updates to general principles for recommended fitness, training and education standards for mooring personnel, and notifications from ashore or mooring boats. 

11. Revised roadmap for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code approved 

The Committee approved the revised FAL roadmap for addressing MASS issues related to the FAL Convention.   Under the revised roadmap, the Committee is expected to:  

• By FAL 51 (2026): assess the finalized non-mandatory MASS Code, and consider the need for amendments to, and interpretation of, the annex to the FAL Convention. 
• At a later FAL session, after the adoption of the mandatory MASS Code, the Committee would assess it and consider the need for further amendments to, and interpretation of, the annex to the FAL Convention. 
  

12. Rules of procedure and Committee’s Method of Work updated 

The Committee approved the revised Rules of Procedure of the Facilitation Committee and the Method of work of the Committee, both of which will be useful for the upcoming sessions of other committees. Both documents will be issued as FAL Circulars. 

The revision of the rules of procedure clarified the meaning of the phrases "Members present" and "Members present and voting". Members are considered “present” at FAL Committee meetings whether they are participating in person or remotely through the hybrid system.  

The IMO Council and other Committees were invited to harmonize their relevant rules on this matter. 

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